Trans-facet Joints Approach To Treat Thoracic Spinal Stenosis

Objective To investigate the correlation between the ratio of spinal stenosis and ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) induced spinal canal narrowing, to investigate the trans-facet joints approach, and provide some reference index about the clinical diagnosis and guide operation therapy.Methods We measured the canal stenosis sagittal diameter, canal sagittal diameter, canal stenosis cross-sectional area, canal cross-sectional area in 20 patients with thoracic spinal stenosis induced by ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) and hypertrophy upper facet joint by CT, the stenosis ratio of canal sagittal diameter and stenosis canal area were measured and calculated. Evaluateing the nervous leision function with reforming JOA score and analyse the correlation between them. Trans-facet joints approah was used in operation, on the back center. Explore posterior vertebral plate and facet joints, cut off both sides of inferior articular process, explore both sides of superior articular process, remove interior of the superior articular process from these areas root segment center. Then bialateral pedicle screws were implanted.Result The stenosis ratio of canal sagittal diameter and stenosis canal area have correlation with reforming JOA score. The most common symptom in these patients were treated.Conclusion The stenosis ratio of canal sagittal diameter and stenosis canal area can reflect the stenosis degree of thoracic spinal stenosis and has correlation with nervous leision. Trans-facet joints approach to treat thoracic spinal stenosis can expansion the an terior posterior diameter of the spinal canal, compression caused by hyperplasia of facet joints can be solved completely. The most common symptom in these patients were treated. Trans-facet joints approach is a effective style to treat thoracic spinal stenosis.